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I would suggest playing as many different styles as you like and letting your sound develop as a result.

Someone once said to me in a club that when he was outside waiting to get in, he could tell by listening that it was me playing guitar. When I listen to my playing I think of it as a combination of influences - a bit from Jeff Beck or something from Wes or that thing I got from Robben Ford - but others hear the combined result.

You want to be able to have people recognize your sound when you play, but you don't want it to sound exactly like what you've already done.

You want people to be able to hear your new stuff and say "Hey, i like the direction [musician] is going."

That's the way i see it at least. You want to be original but still recognizable. Try new styles and try to put your own twist on them. Take your style and add twists you take from other styles. You want to take something and make it your own.

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Usually your mind will guide you toward a signature tone for each style you play.

You will hear it in your mind and gradually, reality will sync up to your mind's sonic image.

This happens on individual musical pieces and phrases and over time on one's entire Styles .

I say STYLES plural because most players have a different tone in their mindfor fingerpicking, a different tone in their mind for Hard Rock, a different tone in their mind for singing solos etc. and play different styles like an Actor playing different Roles.

Famous Guitarists all have Signature Tones and Styles and are fairly specialized for their Sound and Style:

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Obviously, the con is that you usually don't have to buy any new stuff. Or is that a pro?

As far as the biggest con, like you said, there's no need to tweak, lust for new equipment, etc. It allows one to play with confidence and feel good about what is being played. I like the fact that I've found the sound that was trapped in my head. It's a release, for sure.

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I don't think "they only played one style" is a good description of Chet Atkins or Les Paul's sound at all. They could certainly fit in to a variety of styles and were two of the greatest guitarist who ever lived.